There has always been this undertone that Grime, UK Drill, Trap or any “urban” UK music for that matter endorsed knife crime, incited violence in our youth and encouraged gang culture.
It was never to do with the misunderstood mentality of the UK government, local council budgets, local schools and community peers? could they be to blame for what has been bubbling underground for so many years and now spilling over and catching the media eye and tarnishing a music cultures growth? Maybe like what happened to hip hop in the late 80s early 90s in America, when NWA decided to stand up and say those famous words “F**k the P****e”.
Only yesterday our MPs took it upon themselves to discuss this in the house of commons and it seems they now have a different view, or do they?
The DCMS [Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee] stated in a lengthy report “Urban Acts have it tougher than bands starting out” and “Prejudices against grime artists risks stifling one of the UK’s most exciting musical exports” – now I am not one for pi**ing on the bonfire or to stop a positive reaction from people who actually have never taken the time to understand the culture, the music or the story behind it all! But could it be that they are realising, there is good money to be made from the scene now and to grow our economy?
We have seen and heard it time and time again – UK Music artists from the garage/grime culture struggling with venues agreeing to host shows, if agreed – police and licensing authorities stopping them. It will be interesting to see if there is a shift in this over the coming years.
Damian Collins chairman of the DCMS said“Urgent action is needed if the live music industry is to continue to make a significant contribution to both the economy and cultural life of the country,”. Well Damian as they say onwards and upwards.
This is a positive report for the artists and the scene. I look forward to more news like this.
Editorial by AV
Top Image credit Getty Images Ollie Millington